Methods and systems for online counseling sessions and clinics

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for online counseling sessions conducted over the Internet are disclosed. In some configurations, a method for remotely conducting counseling sessions between a client and an expert using an IP-based network includes providing a website accessible to the network wherein the expert and a client both have access to the website. In such configurations, upon accessing and logging into the website, the client is permitted to search a database for online experts and select an appropriate expert for a counseling session. In some configurations, the client initially completes various intake and/or registration forms in a virtual waiting room, wherein such forms are customized per the relevant expert. The method continues as an expert remotely conducts a counseling session with the client via remote means, including video conferencing. Following the counseling session, the client is automatically returned to the virtual waiting room and provided with subsequent counseling based options.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/443,657 filed Feb. 16, 2011 entitled, “Method and System forOnline Psychotherapy Sessions and Clinics,” and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/545,992 filed Oct. 11, 2011 entitled, “Methodsand Systems for Online Counseling Sessions and Clinics.”

FIELD AND BACKGROUND

1. Field

The invention relates generally to methods and systems for conductingcounseling sessions. More particularly, the invention relates to methodsand systems for counseling sessions and clinics conducted remotely, suchas over the Internet and/or via satellite using WIFI as well as otherweb-based technologies. In addition, the invention relates to methodsand systems for conducting remote counseling sessions by means ofvarious mobile devices as well as biofeedback and/or biometric devicesconfigured to interface with an associated network and/or portal toenhance the efficacy and value of the remote counseling sessions as wellas to authenticate the identity of a client.

2. Background

Counseling is a means by which people can gain valuable advice fromexperts. Typically, psychological, psychiatric, medical, genomic, life,business, wedding, academic, legal, or other forms of counseling, occurin an expert's office. In this setting, the expert controls theenvironment in which the counseling takes place. The client generallyschedules an appointment with the expert and then attends the sessionwith the expert at the appointed time. The client and the expertcommunicate during the counseling session, which generally may includethe client conveying information to the expert about the client's needsand/or condition. The information about the client's needs and/orcondition may include details of the client's experiences, feelings,history, and other extremely personal information. Upon receiving thisinformation, the expert may then counsel the client depending on thenature of the information revealed to the expert by the client. Someexperts provide set training courses to individuals in addition to or inlieu of tailored counseling sessions. Some counseling sessions occur inwhich there are multiple clients and/or multiple experts, which aresometimes called group counseling sessions.

SUMMARY

The invention relates generally to methods and systems for conductingcounseling sessions. More particularly, the invention relates to methodsand systems for counseling sessions and clinics conducted remotely, suchas over the Internet and/or via satellite using WIFI as well as otherweb-based technologies. In addition, the invention relates to methodsand systems for conducting remote counseling sessions by means ofvarious mobile devices as well as biofeedback and/or biometric devicesconfigured to interface with an associated network and/or portal toenhance the efficacy and value of the remote counseling sessions.

Accordingly, methods and systems for online counseling sessionsconducted over the Internet are disclosed. In some configurations, amethod for remotely conducting counseling sessions between a client andan expert using an IP-based network includes providing a websiteaccessible to the network wherein the expert and a client both haveaccess to the website. In such configurations, upon accessing andlogging into the website, the client is permitted to search a databasefor online experts and select an appropriate expert for a counselingsession. In some configurations, the client initially completes variousintake and/or registration forms in a virtual waiting room, wherein suchforms are customized per the relevant expert. The method continues as anexpert remotely conducts a counseling session with the client via remotemeans, including video conferencing. Following the counseling session,the client is automatically returned to the virtual waiting room andprovided with subsequent counseling based options.

In some configurations, the methods of the present invention aredirected to expert marketing capabilities and/or strategies. In otherconfigurations, the methods of the present invention are directed toclient scheduling or calendaring for counseling sessions, includingsynchronization with Outlook™, Gmail™, iCal™ or other electronic and/orweb-based calendaring systems or programs. In still otherconfigurations, email, text, SMS messaging, instant messaging and thelike are employed to confirm appointments and/or provide reminders ofupcoming appointments, to customize general information presented toindividual clients, to secure client access to personalized reports anddocumentation generated by the expert which, in some configurations, areaccessible to individual client and expert only, to provide access toproducts for purchase selected by the expert for the client, to providea full accounting and payment system for experts as well as clients, tofacilitate client rating and feedback on the expert relative to servicesrendered or previously provided, and many other aspects as furtherdisclosed herein.

In some configurations, the network and associated portal employed orused to practice various configurations of the invention may further beutilized to provide training or educational services for expertscategorized by field, topic, and/or experience level. Accordingly, invarious configurations, the methods and systems of the present inventionprovide resources for both clients seeking counseling as well as expertsseeking additional education or training. In all such configurations,various forms of electronic communication can be used to supplementonline counseling sessions and/or training/education such as on demandproducts, live webcast products, electronic documents or print productsand so forth. Experts seeking to use the systems and methods of thepresent invention can search for and find additional training and/oreducational serves from other experts available through the service inmuch the same way that clients seeking counseling can find specificexperts in a relevant field.

Some configurations enable clients to access counseling services whenand where it is most convenient for them, and increase the flexibilityof counseling by offering 24-hour availability for pay-per-minute orother pay-per-view sessions. Some configurations allow experts in anystage of their practice to provide more support to existing clients andto procure new clients regardless of geographical limitations.

In some configurations, when scheduling an appointment, a client logs into the expert's website or other type of Internet portal and accesses ascheduling calendar which displays the available counseling sessions.According to some configurations, the expert has the ability to alterthe calendar so that the view is client dependent. By way of example, insome embodiments the calendar may be manipulated so that fewer“available” counseling sessions are displayed for these clients. In someconfigurations, one or more discrete or otherwise independent clinicscan also employ the teachings disclosed herein to interface and/orcoordinate with one another to simplify inter-office scheduling as wellas streamlining other document and/or record keeping as well as a hostof services that can be offered to a range of clients. In someconfigurations, if an expert finds himself or herself without anyclients, e.g., due to cancellations, the inability of clients to travelto the office due to severe weather, etc., that expert can place an“available” icon on the homepage so that clients desiring counselingknow that they can have immediate access without consulting thecalendar.

In some configurations, group counseling sessions can be given. In someconfigurations, all clients can see the expert and the expert can seeall of the clients at the same time on smaller images on one screen. Insuch configurations, the expert can assess the demeanor of the clientsas they interact. In some configurations, the clients will be able tosee each other and/or hear each other. In some configurations, onlinegroup counseling can be augmented by occasional private conversations.In some further configurations, the client or the expert may press abutton sending an indication that they desire a private conversation,the expert may then excuse himself or herself from the group discussionand engage in a private conversation shielded from the view and hearingof the other group members. In some configurations, a hold type button(or a type of privacy button) is provided which allows the client topause or temporarily suspend a particular session or to otherwiseprovide the client with an opportunity to put the session on holdwithout actually ending the session. In this way, the client has theability to interrupt the session with respect to him or herself withoutaffecting the session relative to other uses in order to protect theclient's privacy. Specifically, the client has the ability to pause thesession on his or her end so that if something in his or her environmentchanges, the client can control broadcasting such changes to either theexpert and/or the other members of the group, or rather has control inorder to avoid such a broadcast.

In various configurations, a “take the floor” feature is offered duringa group counseling session. In some configurations, an expert offers aclient the opportunity to lead the discussion by illuminating an icon orreference on the screen in the appropriate location. In some embodimentsan “emergency” feature is offered to clients who need emergency contactinformation for an expert and/or an immediate counseling session with anexpert.

In some configurations, an expert or other practitioner can designate anassistant who has access to the systems of the present invention,including the portal. In some configurations, for example, an assistantmay be a registered nurse or a practitioner's assistant. In suchconfigurations, the assistant is capable of meeting with and/orpre-screening clients. Such configurations further contemplate one ormore, including multiple, assistants, some of whom work out of differentclinics, working with any number of clients for, in connection with oron behalf of a single practitioner. In this way, one practitioner can beaffiliated with multiple clinics and provide counseling or othertreatment to multiple clients efficiently and effectively. In someconfigurations, multiple assistants associated with multiple clinics areassociated with multiple practitioners. In such configurations, theassistants may have limited access to client information to preservevarious privacy aspects and in some configurations the assistants mustbe licensed in order to provide assistance.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above recited and other featuresand advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention will be rendered by reference to specificembodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of thepresent invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limitingthe scope of the invention, the present invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a representative operating environment in whichvarious embodiments of the present invention may be practiced;

FIG. 2 illustrates a representative networked system configuration thatmay be used in association with embodiments of various embodiments ofthe present invention; and

FIGS. 3-77 illustrate a collection of screen captures illustratingvarious features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given.It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms andshapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrativeand not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined byreference to the appended claims and their equivalents. The followingdescription supplies specific details in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand thatthe online counseling sessions and clinics can be implemented and usedwithout employing these specific details. Indeed, the invention can bepracticed by modifying the illustrated method and can be used inconjunction with apparatuses and/or techniques conventionally used inthe industry. For example, the description focuses on providingpsychotherapy counseling online. But it could be easily adapted toprovide online genomics, medical, wedding, academic, veteran or otherpost-traumatic stress, legal or other forms of counseling wherein anexpert traditionally meets with his or her clients to provide advice andor associated literature or printed materials.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part ofa device includes hardware and/or software that is constructed and/orprogrammed to carry out the desired function. In understanding the scopeof the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, asused herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify thepresence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers,and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstatedfeatures, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. Theforegoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as theterms, “including,” “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms“part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in thesingular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality ofparts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially,” “about” and“approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation ofthe modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

The terms “client,” “patient,” “employee,” “recipient,” etc., may beused herein. Such terms are intended to be used synonymously and referto a user, group of users, business, and/or other entity seekingcounseling or advice via the present invention.

The terms “expert,” “provider,” “physician,” “practitioner,”“contractor,” “employer,” “professional,” etc., may be used herein. Suchterms are intended to be used synonymously and refer to an individual, agroup of individuals, a business, and/or other entity that providescounseling via the present invention.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations inturn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments ofthe present invention; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.

The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” “in someembodiments,” “in various embodiments,” or other similar phrase, whichmay each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and thelike, as used with respect to embodiments of the present invention, aresynonymous with the definition afforded the term “comprising.”

The term “etc.” may be used. It should be understood that the termindicates that other examples or elements are possible. The term “etc.”should not be interpreted to be limited in kind, category, or similarityto the terms that precede it, but instead indicate that there are otherpossible examples or elements that could be given that may or may not bewholly different from the terms that precede it.

For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A/B” means “A orB.” For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A and/or B”means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” For the purposes of the presentinvention, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means “(A), (B),(C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).” For the purposesof the present invention, the phrase “(A)B” means “(B) or (AB),” thatis, A is an optional element.

With reference now to the several drawing views, FIG. 1 and thecorresponding discussion are intended to provide a general descriptionof a suitable operating environment in which embodiments of presentinvention may be implemented. One skilled in the art will appreciatethat some embodiments of the present invention may be practiced by or inconnection with one or more computing devices and in a variety of systemconfigurations, including in a networked configuration. However, whilethe methods and processes disclosed herein have proven to beparticularly useful in association with a system comprising a generalpurpose computer, embodiments of the present invention includeutilization of the methods and processes in a variety of environments,including embedded systems with general purpose processing units,digital/media signal processors (DSP/MSP), application specificintegrated circuits (ASIC), stand alone electronic devices, and othersuch electronic environments.

Embodiments of the present invention embrace one or morecomputer-readable media, wherein each medium may be configured toinclude or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions formanipulating data. The computer executable instructions include datastructures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules thatmay be accessed by a processing system, such as one associated with ageneral-purpose computer capable of performing various differentfunctions or one associated with a special-purpose computer capable ofperforming a limited number of functions. Computer executableinstructions cause the processing system to perform a particularfunction or group of functions and are examples of program code meansfor implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, aparticular sequence of the executable instructions provides an exampleof corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examplesof computer-readable media include random-access memory (“RAM”),read-only memory (“ROM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”),erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory(“CD-ROM”), or any other device or component that is capable ofproviding data or executable instructions that may be accessed by aprocessing system. While embodiments of the present invention embracethe use of all types of computer-readable media, certain embodiments, asrecited in the claims, may be limited to the use of tangible,non-transitory computer-readable media, and the phrases “tangiblecomputer-readable medium” and “non-transitory computer-readable medium”(or plural variations) used herein are intended to exclude transitorypropagating signals per se.

With reference to FIG. 1, a representative system for implementingembodiments of the present invention comprise computer device 10, whichmay be a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or any of a varietyof consumer electronic devices. For example, computer device 10 may be apersonal computer, a notebook computer, a netbook, a personal digitalassistant (“PDA”) or other hand-held device, a workstation, aminicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multi-processor system, anetwork computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, or thelike.

Computer device 10 includes system bus 12, which may be configured toconnect various components thereof and enables data to be exchangedbetween two or more components. System bus 12 may include one of avariety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of busarchitectures. Typical components connected by system bus 12 includeprocessing system 14 and memory 16. Other components may include one ormore mass storage device interfaces 18, input interfaces 20, outputinterfaces 22, and/or network interfaces 24, each of which will bediscussed below.

Processing system 14 includes one or more processors, such as a centralprocessor and optionally one or more other processors designed toperform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system14 that executes the instructions provided on computer-readable media,such as on memory 16, a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, amagnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communication connection,which may also be viewed as a computer-readable medium.

Memory 16 includes one or more computer-readable media that may beconfigured to include or includes thereon data or instructions formanipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system 14 throughsystem bus 12. Memory 16 may include, for example, ROM 28, used topermanently store information, and/or RAM 30, used to temporarily storeinformation. ROM 28 may include a basic input/output system (“BIOS”)having one or more routines that are used to establish communication,such as during start-up of computer device 10. RAM 30 may include one ormore program modules, such as one or more operating systems, applicationprograms, and/or program data.

One or more mass storage device interfaces 18 may be used to connect oneor more mass storage devices 26 to system bus 12. The mass storagedevices 26 may be incorporated into or may be peripheral to computerdevice 10 and allow computer device 10 to retain large amounts of data.Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices 26 may be removablefrom computer device 10. Examples of mass storage devices include harddisk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives and optical disk drives.A mass storage device 26 may read from and/or write to a magnetic harddisk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk,or another computer-readable medium. Mass storage devices 26 and theircorresponding computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage ofdata and/or executable instructions that may include one or more programmodules such as an operating system, one or more application programs,other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions areexamples of program code means for implementing steps for methodsdisclosed herein.

One or more input interfaces 20 may be employed to enable a user toenter data and/or instructions to computer device 10 through one or morecorresponding input devices 32. Examples of such input devices include akeyboard and alternate input devices, such as a mouse, trackball, lightpen, stylus, or other pointing device, a microphone, a joystick, a gamepad, a satellite dish, a scanner, a camcorder, a digital camera, and thelike. Similarly, examples of input interfaces 20 that may be used toconnect the input devices 32 to the system bus 12 include a serial port,a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus (“USB”), anintegrated circuit, a firewire (IEEE 1394), or another interface. Forexample, in some embodiments input interface 20 includes an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is designed for a particularapplication. In a further embodiment, the ASIC is embedded and connectsexisting circuit building blocks.

One or more output interfaces 22 may be employed to connect one or morecorresponding output devices 34 to system bus 12. Examples of outputdevices include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a printer, amulti-functional peripheral, and the like. A particular output device 34may be integrated with or peripheral to computer device 10. Examples ofoutput interfaces include a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallelport, and the like.

One or more network interfaces 24 enable computer device 10 to exchangeinformation with one or more other local or remote computer devices,illustrated as computer devices 36, via a network 38 that may includehardwired and/or wireless links. Examples of network interfaces includea network adapter for connection to a local area network (“LAN”) or amodem, wireless link, or other adapter for connection to a wide areanetwork (“WAN”), such as the Internet. The network interface 24 may beincorporated with or peripheral to computer device 10. In a networkedsystem, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored ina remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked systemcomputer device 10 may participate in a distributed computingenvironment, where functions or tasks are performed by a plurality ofnetworked computer devices.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the presentinvention embrace a variety of different system configurations. Forexample, in one embodiment the system configuration includes an outputdevice (e.g., a multifunctional peripheral (MFP) or otherprinter/plotter, a copy machine, a facsimile machine, a monitor, etc.)that performs multi-colorant rendering. In another embodiment, thesystem configuration includes one or more client computer devices,optionally one or more server computer devices, and a connection ornetwork communication that enables the exchange of communication to anoutput device, which is configured to perform multi-colorant rendering.

Thus, while those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments ofthe present invention may be practiced in a variety of differentenvironments with many types of system configurations, FIG. 2 provides arepresentative networked system configuration that may be used inassociation with embodiments of the present invention. Therepresentative system of FIG. 2 includes a computer device, illustratedas client 40, which is connected to one or more other computer devices(illustrated as client 42 and client 44) and one or more peripheraldevices (illustrated as multifunctional peripheral (MFP) MFP 46) acrossnetwork 38. While FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment that includes aclient 40, two additional clients, client 42 and client 44, oneperipheral device, MFP 46, and optionally a server 48, which may be aprint server, connected to network 38, alternative embodiments includemore or fewer clients, more than one peripheral device, no peripheraldevices, no server 48, and/or more than one server 48 connected tonetwork 38. Other embodiments of the present invention include local,networked, or peer-to-peer environments where one or more computerdevices may be connected to one or more local or remote peripheraldevices. Moreover, embodiments in accordance with the present inventionalso embrace a single electronic consumer device, wireless networkedenvironments, and/or wide area networked environments, such as theInternet.

Similarly, embodiments of the present invention embrace cloud-basedarchitectures where one or more computer functions are performed byremote computer systems and devices at the request of a local computerdevice. Thus, returning to FIG. 2, the client 40 may be a computerdevice having a limited set of hardware and/or software resources.Because the client 40 is connected to the network 38, it may be able toaccess hardware and/or software resources provided across the network 38by other computer devices and resources, such as client 42, client 44,server 48, or any other resources. The client 40 may access theseresources through an access program, such as a web browser, and theresults of any computer functions or resources may be delivered throughthe access program to the user of the client 40. In such configurations,the client 40 may be any type of computer device or electronic devicediscussed above or known to the world of cloud computing, includingtraditional desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and other smartdevices, tablet computers, or any other device able to provide access toremote computing resources through an access program such as a browser.

With reference now to FIG. 3, the invention relates generally to methodsand systems for conducting counseling sessions. More particularly, theinvention relates to methods and systems for counseling sessions andclinics conducted remotely, such as over the Internet and/or viasatellite using WIFI as well as other web-based technologies. Inaddition, the invention relates to methods and systems for conductingremote counseling sessions by means of various mobile devices as well asbiofeedback and/or biometric devices configured to interface with anassociated network and/or portal to enhance the efficacy and value ofthe remote counseling sessions.

Accordingly, methods and systems for online counseling sessionsconducted over the Internet are disclosed. In some embodiments, a methodfor remotely conducting counseling sessions between a client and anexpert using an IP-based network includes providing a website accessibleto the network wherein the expert and a client both have access to thewebsite. In such embodiments, upon accessing and logging into thewebsite, the client is permitted to search a database for online expertsand select an appropriate expert for a counseling session. In someembodiments, the client initially completes various intake and/orregistration forms in a virtual waiting room, wherein such forms arecustomized per the relevant expert. The method continues as an expertremotely conducts a counseling session with the client via remote means,including video conferencing. Following the counseling session, theclient is automatically returned to the virtual waiting room andprovided with subsequent counseling based options.

In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention are directedto expert marketing capabilities and/or strategies. In otherembodiments, the methods of the present invention are directed to clientscheduling or calendaring for counseling sessions, includingsynchronization with Outlook™, Gmail™, iCal™ or other electronic and/orweb-based calendaring systems or programs. In still other embodiments,email, text, SMS messaging, instant messaging and the like are employedto confirm appointments and/or provide reminders of upcomingappointments, to customize general information presented to individualclients, to secure client access to personalized reports anddocumentation generated by the expert which, in some embodiments, areaccessible to individual client and expert only, to provide access toproducts for purchase selected by the expert for the client, to providea full accounting and payment system for experts as well as clients, tofacilitate client rating and feedback on the expert relative to servicesrendered or previously provided, and many other aspects as furtherdisclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the network and associated portal employed or usedto practice various embodiments of the invention may further be utilizedto provide training or educational services for experts categorized byfield, topic, and/or experience level. Accordingly, in variousembodiments, the methods and systems of the present invention provideresources for both clients seeking counseling as well as experts seekingadditional education or training. In all such embodiments, various formsof electronic communication can be used to supplement online counselingsessions and/or training/education such as on demand products, livewebcast products, electronic documents or print products and so forth.Experts seeking to use the systems and methods of the present inventioncan search for and find additional training and/or educational servesfrom other experts available through the service in much the same waythat clients seeking counseling can find specific experts in a relevantfield.

Some embodiments enable clients to access counseling services when andwhere it is most convenient for them, and increase the flexibility ofcounseling by offering 24-hour availability for pay-per-minute or otherpay-per-view sessions. Some embodiments allow experts in any stage oftheir practice to provide more support to existing clients and toprocure new clients regardless of geographical limitations.

In some embodiments, when scheduling an appointment, a client logs in tothe expert's website or other type of Internet portal and accesses ascheduling calendar which displays the available counseling sessions.According to some embodiments, the expert has the ability to alter thecalendar so that the view is client dependent. By way of example, insome embodiments the calendar may be manipulated so that fewer“available” counseling sessions are displayed for these clients. In someembodiments, one or more discrete or otherwise independent clinics canalso employ the teachings disclosed herein to interface and/orcoordinate with one another to simplify inter-office scheduling as wellas streamlining other document and/or record keeping as well as a hostof services that can be offered to a range of clients. In someembodiments, if an expert finds himself or herself without any clients,e.g., due to cancellations, the inability of clients to travel to theoffice due to severe weather, etc., that expert can place an “available”icon on the homepage so that clients desiring counseling know that theycan have immediate access without consulting the calendar.

In some embodiments, group counseling sessions can be given. In someembodiments, all clients can see the expert and the expert can see allof the clients at the same time on smaller images on one screen. In suchembodiments, the expert can assess the demeanor of the clients as theyinteract. In some embodiments, the clients will be able to see eachother and/or hear each other. In some embodiments, online groupcounseling can be augmented by occasional private conversations. In somefurther embodiments, the client or the expert may press a button sendingan indication that they desire a private conversation, the expert maythen excuse himself or herself from the group discussion and engage in aprivate conversation shielded from the view and hearing of the othergroup members. In some embodiments, a hold type button (or a type ofprivacy button) is provided which allows the client to pause ortemporarily suspend a particular session or to otherwise provide theclient with an opportunity to put the session on hold without actuallyending the session. In this way, the client has the ability to interruptthe session with respect to him or herself without affecting the sessionrelative to other uses in order to protect the client's privacy.Specifically, the client has the ability to pause the session on his orher end so that if something in his or her environment changes, theclient can control broadcasting such changes to either the expert and/orthe other members of the group, or rather has control in order to avoidsuch a broadcast.

In various embodiments, a “take the floor” feature is offered during agroup counseling session. In some embodiments, an expert offers a clientthe opportunity to lead the discussion by illuminating an icon orreference on the screen in the appropriate location. In some embodimentsan “emergency” feature is offered to clients who need emergency contactinformation for an expert and/or an immediate counseling session with anexpert.

In some embodiments, an expert or other practitioner can designate anassistant who has access to the systems of the present invention,including the portal. In some embodiments, for example, an assistant maybe a registered nurse or a practitioner's assistant. In suchembodiments, the assistant is capable of meeting with and/orpre-screening clients. Such embodiments further contemplate one or more,including multiple, assistants, some of whom work out of differentclinics, working with any number of clients for, in connection with oron behalf of a single practitioner. In this way, one practitioner can beaffiliated with multiple clinics and provide counseling or othertreatment to multiple clients efficiently and effectively. In someembodiments, multiple assistants associated with multiple clinics areassociated with multiple practitioners. In such embodiments, theassistants may have limited access to client information to preservevarious privacy aspects and in some embodiments the assistants must belicensed in order to provide assistance.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, an online counseling system isprovided according to some embodiments from which experts manage theirpractice, business, clientele, etc., and/or provide counseling toclients. Consistent with such embodiments, such experts or practitionershave online access to the records of their clientele.

In various embodiments, experts use the online counseling system as ameans of managing their practice, business, clientele, etc. In someembodiments, experts have the capacity to set the rates they charge fortheir services. In various embodiments, experts may use the onlinecounseling system to record and/or post a brief video introductiondetailing their philosophy and credentials for potential clients toreview. In some embodiments, experts can manage their schedules fromwithin the system. In various embodiments, secure billing is a featureof the online counseling system. In some embodiments, experts can easilychange their billing rate and create and/or edit a customized web pagefrom the system's control center feature. In some embodiments, theonline counseling system provides a number of templates from whichexperts can select to develop a personalized marketing web pagedisplayed from within the online counseling system.

In some embodiments, practitioners create customized virtual waitingrooms for clients. In some embodiments, experts incorporate multiplewaiting rooms for use with specific issues, needs, wants, disorders,etc., as a feature of the system. In some embodiments, the systemprovides experts with an option to create individual templates forparticular clients. In some embodiments, after a session, clients mayreturn to a checkout page where they can purchase products chosen by theexpert to appear in their online store. In various embodiments, clientshave the ability to prepay for a session, or be billed on a per-minutebasis, depending on their particular priority or issue. In someembodiments, experts receive receipts on a regular basis for alltransactions, which may include items such as monies received, servicesbilled, fees charged and/or collected, etc. In some embodiments, expertshave access to current accounting information, data regarding completedand upcoming sessions, client information, and session notes, laboratoryinformation, medical background, legal history, as well as biometricand/or biofeedback information configured to interface with anassociated network and/or portal to enhance the efficacy and value ofthe remote counseling sessions as well as to authenticate the identityof a given client.

In some embodiments, experts may schedule and/or change clientappointments and view their schedule via a calendar interface or othereasy-to-use interface. In some embodiments, experts may synchronizetheir online counseling system calendars with Outlook™, Gmail™, iCal™and/or other suitable calendaring programs. In further embodiments,experts may also synchronize their online calendars with various mobileor handheld devices, other suitable calendar platforms, and the like. Insome embodiments, when a client requests a particular time for acounseling session, the system automatically sends that information tothe expert, who may either confirm or deny the appointment. Ifconfirmed, in some embodiments, the appointment is automatically addedto the expert's calendar. According to some embodiments, experts can setreminders for upcoming appointments via email, short message service(SMS) (i.e. text message), other alerts, etc. In various embodiments, ifa client does not cancel a scheduled appointment within a pre-set timeframe, experts have the option to indicate their availability forper-minute counseling.

Clients using some embodiments of the present invention have access to anumber of services and resources, including any combination of:face-to-face meetings, video conferencing, phone sessions, one-on-oneemail/text chat, avatar chat, group therapy, message board/email/chat,online support groups, self-help tools, assessment instruments, blogs,SMS, social networking sites, personal websites/online journals, audioand/or video recordings, relaxation and meditation programs,biofeedback, biometric devices, testing devices or programs, and/orother communication or counseling technologies.

In some embodiments, the online counseling system is available up to 24hours a day. In some embodiments, the online counseling system isconfigured for use with selected experts (including internationalexperts) to ensure 24-hour consultation availability for clients. Inother embodiments, licensed assistants may be employed to facilitate24-hour availability for clients with respect to certain services forwhich the assistant is qualified.

In some embodiments, experts may choose, or be required, to enter theirqualifications, credentials, etc., in order to register for and/or useor otherwise provide services through the online counseling system. Insome embodiments, the qualifications, credentials, insurance, degree,work history, licensing information, etc. that is entered by experts maybe individually verified through appropriate channels and/or third partysources. For example, in some instances a medical doctor may registerwith the online counseling system. Thereafter, his or her license topractice medicine may be verified with state health department(s) orother relevant organization(s) to ensure he or she has not beensuspended or that his or her license is not otherwise fraudulent orsubject to limitations. In various embodiments, an expert is required tomaintain licensure requirements, purchase liability insurance, signindemnity contracts, etc., before using the online counseling system.For example, in some instances a psychotherapist is required to maintaina license in good standing in order to continue to provide counselingvia some embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments,the online counseling system will offer secure, encrypted methods bywhich the expert and/or the client may enter his or her personalinformation.

In some embodiments, clients can grade, rate, provide feedback, score,etc., the services they received. For example, in some instances a useris allowed to submit a rating score after they have spent apredetermined amount of time, e.g., at least 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes or an hour with an expert.In some embodiments, a certain number of counseling sessions arerequired before a client is permitted to rate or otherwise score andexpert. In some embodiments, clients can search for experts based ontheir ranking, location, areas of practice, credentials, years ofexperience, education, and/or other variables.

According to other embodiments, clients can purchase annual membershipsallowing them to use features not available to all base-level users. Invarious embodiments, clients pay to use the online counseling system.For example, in some embodiments, clients pay an annual membership fee.In other embodiments, however, only third party payers who license theportal pay a licensing fee. In some embodiments, the portal will begiven to an expert or other general practitioners free of charge.However, in embodiments contemplating additional training or educationfor experts or other practitioners, experts seeking additional trainingand/or education may be required to pay fees in connection therewithaccording to some embodiments. In other embodiments, additional trainingand/or educational services are provided free of charge to encourage orentice experts to participate further in the system.

In some embodiments, clients pay a fee to the practitioner as well as afee associated with using the online services of the present invention.In some embodiments, clients pay a percentage of the expert's counselingsession fees in order to use the online counseling system. For example,in some embodiments, clients pay 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or anything between1% and 20% on top of what the expert charges in order to use the onlineservices of the present invention. For purposes of illustration, and notby way of limitation, if an expert charges a client $40 for an onlinecounseling session, then the client is required to pay $40 to the expertand 10% of the experts fee to the online service. As such, in theforegoing example, the client's total bill is $44. In other embodiments,the percentage collected by the online service may be more or less than10%. In some embodiments, clients are given a discount or otherincentives to begin using the online services.

In various embodiments, advertisers, product manufacturers, privatecompanies, insurance companies, government agencies, or other entitiespay money to support the online counseling system, and services areprovided to experts and/or users for free or for a reduced price. Invarious embodiments, experts, clients, and/or other entities can pay forvarious features, modules, levels, aspects, services, functionalities,etc., of the online counseling system. For example, in some embodimentsan expert pays for a monthly fee for a base-level package providingaccess to most features provided by the online counseling session, andalso pays a one-time fee for a pre-designed virtual waiting room for hisor her clients. In some embodiments, general practitioners pay a onetimefee. In other embodiments, however, there is no monthly fee for anexpert or other general practitioners. Likewise, in other embodiments,there is no onetime fee for experts or other general practitioners. Insome embodiments, moreover, third party payers who license the portalpay a licensing fee and provide hosting and/or support for expertsand/or practitioners.

In various embodiments, the online counseling system uses secure,encrypted, or otherwise protected methods to exchange data. In variousembodiments, the online counseling system includes an on-call systemadministrator, customer service representatives, or other persons taskedto assist with technical questions and/or handle client or expertinquiries.

In various embodiments, experts have the option to sell any item(s) thatthey feel might be useful for their client(s). In some embodiments,administrators of the online counseling system collect a percentage,e.g., 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% 30% or anything between 1% and 30% of thecost of any, or select, products sold by experts through the onlinecounseling system. In some embodiments, experts can determine theshipping and handling costs they wish to charge for items sold toclients within the online counseling system. In some embodiments, salesprocessing is handled by various service providers, e.g., GoogleCheckout, PayPal, and other suitable service providers common to thoseof skill in the art.

In some embodiments, experts can set their own billing rates. Forexample, in some embodiments the expert chooses to either bill a setamount for prescheduled sessions, and to bill clients on apay-per-minute (PPM) basis for immediate or emergency services. Invarious embodiments, online counseling system administrators can set thefees or rates charged to use the service. For example, as mentionedabove, in some embodiments, clients pay 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or anythingbetween 1% and 20% on top of what the expert charges in order to use theonline services of the present invention. In other embodiments, thepercentage collected by the online service may be more or less than 20%.In various embodiments, experts are responsible for their own taxes. Invarious embodiments, online counseling system administrators charge afee for tax withholding and other services. In such embodiments,provisions of tax withholding and other services are explained in aterms and conditions document provided to experts during registrationwith the online counseling system.

In some embodiments, the online counseling system sends the fees forcompleted sessions to experts on a daily, weekly, bi-monthly, monthly,semi-annually and/or annual basis via wire transfer, less the amountcollected in connection with use of the online services, i.e. thepercentage on top of what the expert charges for use of the onlineservices, such as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or anything between 1% and 20% asdiscussed previously. In some embodiments, additional fees collected forservices and product sales are also sent to experts on a daily, weekly,bi-monthly, monthly, semi-annually and/or annual basis less the cost ofany higher-level services for which experts may opt or any additionalpercentages which are owed to the online service. In some embodiments,practitioners can change their options at any time. When such optionsare changed, in some embodiments, the billing is prorated when settingsare changed in the middle of a billing cycle. In some embodiments,experts can view their account for the past year of services at any timeand/or download digital invoices.

In some embodiments, practitioners can designate in advance the timesthat they are available for prescheduled sessions. In variousembodiments, practitioners can designate their availability forper-minute services. In some embodiments, experts can access a calendarmaintained on their computer allowing them to enter prescheduledappointments or designate their per-minute availability. In variousembodiments, the expert's calendar can be synced with their profile toindicate available remaining slots. In some embodiments, experts canchoose the view that the public sees of their calendar. For example, insome embodiments the expert chooses to show only currently availableslots. In some embodiments, clients can submit a request to a particularexpert for a specified time slot. In such embodiments, the request isautomatically forwarded to the desired expert or to an assistantdesignated to assist the expert with respect to the individual client ora group of clients wherein the assistant can confirm or deny theappointment. In some embodiments, if a request for an appointment isconfirmed, it automatically schedules a counseling session on theexpert's calendar and/or creates automated reminders for the partiesinvolved. In some embodiments, any party can change the frequency ofreminders they receive for a particular appointment and/or for allappointments. In some embodiments, if the expert denies a request for anappointment, the client is notified and is given the opportunity torequest a different proposed time for a counseling session.

In some embodiments, experts can conduct individual sessions via web camand/or act as a moderator for group sessions. In various embodiments,groups counseling sessions can consist of one, two, three, four, five,six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen,fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, or moreclients. It is contemplated that group sessions can consist of as manyclients as the technology used by the online counseling system allows.In some embodiments, the online counseling system incorporatesfunctionality that allows experts to have digital zoom, enhancement,volume, analysis, or other features or capabilities that assist inevaluating clients' body language and/or state of mind.

However, as mentioned above, in some embodiments, a hold type button (ora type of privacy button) is provided which allows the client to pauseor temporarily suspend a particular session or to otherwise provide theclient with an opportunity to put the session on hold without actuallyending the session. In this way, the client has the ability to interruptthe session with respect to him or herself without affecting the sessionrelative to other uses in order to protect the client's privacy.Specifically, the client has the ability to pause the session on his orher end so that if something in his or her environment changes, theclient can control broadcasting such changes to either the expert and/orthe other members of the group, or rather has control in order to avoidsuch a broadcast.

In some embodiments, any client and/or expert can record any portion ofgroup counseling sessions (with the exception of control afforded toindividual client participants in connection with the privacy buttondiscussed previously). In various embodiments, recordings are downloadeddirectly to the recording party's computer, and/or are stored remotelyon the online counseling sessions' hardware, and/or are stored on athird-party's hardware. In some embodiments, as discussed with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2, cloud-based architectures are contemplated. In suchembodiments, recordings or other data stored in connection with anygiven counseling session may also, or alternatively be stored on thecloud. In some embodiments, storage is held on the cloud be default. Insome embodiments, group counseling sessions involving multipleindividuals in separate locations are not recordable by client(s). Insome embodiments, group counseling sessions are recordable only byexpert(s).

In various embodiments, calendaring tools are used to facilitatescheduling counseling sessions. In various embodiments, buttons and/orother interface objects providing calendaring options are presented tothe client and/or the expert that assist them in scheduling counselingsessions. In some embodiments, experts are given access to a “ViewAffected” button, a “View Conditions” button, a “Restrictions” button,or something similarly entitled, which permits an expert to view and/orplace restrictions on clients' ability to view and/or scheduleappointments. In some embodiments, access is given to experts throughthe use of such buttons, or similarly titled buttons, which permit theexpert to modify or otherwise alter certain components of clientinformation, including in some embodiments personal information, aswell. For example, in some embodiments an expert can limit the client toone session per day, per week, etc., so as to prevent a client fromneedlessly over-scheduling counseling sessions. In some embodiments, theexpert can restrict a client from viewing and/or scheduling counselingsessions during specific times or dates. For example, in someembodiments a client who has insurance that pays a set fee or a low feecan be restricted to view and/or schedule only off-peak hours or dates.

In other embodiments, when an expert is unable to be on-time for acounseling session, the expert can press the “View Affected” button, orsomething similarly titled, permitting the expert to see whichcounseling sessions are affected and providing options regarding whatcan be done to reschedule the affected counseling sessions. In variousembodiments, clients are given access to an “Emergency” button, a “GetHelp Now” button, a “Hotline” button, or something similarly entitled,which permits a client to receive counseling immediately. In someembodiments, pressing the “Emergency” button, or similarly entitledbutton, sends an alert to available experts. In such embodiments, anexpert may confirm the alert and begin a counseling session with theclient who indicated they were in emergent need. In various embodiments,clients are given access to a “See Immediate” button, a “See Available”button, or something similarly entitled, which allows clients to viewand/or schedule counseling sessions with experts who are currentlyavailable, regardless of whether or not there is emergent need.

In various embodiments, dynamic tools are used to improve counselingsessions. In various embodiments, buttons and/or other interface objectsproviding dynamic abilities to mute, start, stop, enhance, emphasize,record, remove, re-organize, delay, pause, forward, rewind, and/or otherdynamic abilities, are presented to the client and/or the expert thatimprove the ability to provide psychiatric care during the counselingsessions. For example, in some embodiments the expert uses a “Privacy”button, a “Go Private” button, or other something similarly entitled, tospeak, text, or otherwise communicate in private with a subset ofclients during a group counseling session. In some embodiments, theeffect would be to reduce or mute the audio, text, video capabilities,and/or restrict other forms of communication for the group member(s) whowere not invited to speak in private. In other embodiments, similarlyentitled buttons are available to a client to temporarily pause a givencounseling session so as to preserve his or her privacy if theenvironment he or she is in during the session changes and the clientprefers not to broadcast his or her environment for a period of timewithout ending the session altogether. In such embodiments, theremaining members of the session (i.e. experts and/or other clients) arepermitted to continue with the session in progress. In some embodiments,the use of a dynamic tool has the effect of reducing or muting what theclients can type, hear, see, and/or restrict other forms ofcommunication. In some embodiments, the use of a dynamic tool has theeffect of playing a predetermined text, audio track, video clip, and/orother communicative presentation.

In some embodiments, the expert and/or client has access to a “Take theFloor” button, an “I Hold the Conch” button, or something similarlyentitled, that allows only a subset of clients to “take the floor,”i.e., speak, type, or otherwise communicate during a group counselingsession without allowing others to speak, type, or otherwisecommunicate. In some embodiments, only the expert has the power to grantthe ability to take the floor. In some embodiments, the client has torequest permission from the expert and/or group before being able totake the floor. In some embodiments, the client is allowed to take thefloor only for a set amount of time; in other embodiments, the clientmay receive the right to take the floor for the full length of thecounseling session. In some embodiments, the person(s) who have takenthe floor are emphasized by some text, audio, or visual indication. Forexample, in some embodiments a group counseling session that has bothaudio and video feeds in which taking the floor has the effect ofincreasing that client's volume and chat window size, while reducing theother clients' volume and chat window size. In some embodiments, forexample, a digital zoom function is provided to facilitate the emphasisof the individual taking the floor.

In some embodiments, when a client requests a specific expert for apay-per-minute session, and the expert does not connect with the clientfor a session within a set time period, the client has the option tosend an email requesting that the expert provide information about theirnext available time slot. In some embodiments, clients can be redirectedto a page listing alternative experts currently online that meet theclient's desired criteria.

In some embodiments, an online counseling system allows experts todesign or import documents they deem necessary for services provided totheir clients. In some embodiments, files created by experts for aparticular client can be downloaded to the expert's computer and/or theclient's computer. In alternative embodiments, such files and/ordocuments are made available in real time via cloud architecture asdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In various embodiments, theonline counseling system enables experts to integrate various clientrecords with information from other sources. For example, in someembodiments, records generated during online counseling sessions can beintegrated with psychotherapy records obtained from a third-party. Invarious embodiments, the process of generating records or other filesand/or documents during an online counseling session are created via anapplication integration utility (AIU).

In various embodiments, the online counseling system is used for morethan individualized and/or group counseling sessions, but is also usedfor training programs and educational sessions. For example, in someembodiments an online counseling system is used to teach mental healthclasses, pre-nuptial classes, birthing classes, shaken-baby training,anger-control training, language training, etc. In other embodiments,various educational and/or training programs are provided with respectto specific fields of study in which students are provided withsupervised opportunities to practice or apply certain teachingscommensurate with learning such information or shortly thereafter. Inother words, some embodiments contemplate the provision of hands-onexperience with certain educational features or subjects or otherwisecontemplate the provision of a practicum which enables students to applytheoretical knowledge contemporaneously with the acquisition of suchknowledge.

In various embodiments, the online counseling system is used by expertsfluent in various different languages. For example, in some embodimentsrefugees are taught English classes by an expert who speaks their nativelanguage which facilitates the language instruction. In anothernon-limiting example, in some embodiments a deaf individual may receivepsychotherapy treatment using a videoconferencing feature of the onlinecounseling system from an expert psychologist who speaks American SignLanguage. In other embodiments, for example, certain clients are able toaccess therapy in connection with diverse topics, such as shaken babysyndrome and prevention of the same. In such embodiments, such therapy,counseling and/or educational information is provided in the firstlanguage of the client in order to maximize the efficacy of suchsessions.

In other embodiments, counseling and/or educational sessions are alsoavailable via video counseling and associated technologies forincarcerated persons, such as people in jail, prison, mentalinstitutions and other formats where clients are unable or precludedfrom leaving a given facility but yet have access to Internet orweb-based services. In such embodiments, counseling and/or educationcould be provided as a means of treating incarcerated individuals orother persons with mental or emotional challenges.

Various embodiments that use the online counseling system describedherein to provide counseling sessions are called “TruClinic.” Forexample, in some embodiments psychotherapy services are provided throughan online counseling system called TruClinic. Some embodiments ofTruClinic include a control center for experts to change any aspect oftheir marketing information and billing rate. Some embodiments ofTruClinic include a billing matrix/payment management system that allowsexperts to charge whatever they choose, with a preset minimum, such asthe non-limiting example in which an expert charges $1.00 per minutewith a $25.00 minimum. In other embodiments, there is no minimum charge;rather clients are permitted to access the system and participate in asession on a pay-per-minute basis while being allowed to terminate thesession at any time without incurring a minimum charge. In this way,clients are not discouraged from trying the services for fear ofincurring a minimum charge.

Some embodiments of TruClinic include a module that allows experts torecord a brief introduction of themselves, as well as an overview of theservices they provide. Some embodiments of TruClinic include a digitalor virtual waiting room for which experts can set up various wallpapersor backgrounds depending on the client they are seeing. For example, insome embodiments the expert is working with someone that haspost-traumatic stress disorder, and can utilize a pre-made or customizedvirtual waiting room populated with questionnaires, articles, videos,and particular products for sale, such as books about the disorder. Insome embodiments of TruClinic, such features may be managed from theexpert's control center within the online counseling system.

Some embodiments of TruClinic include regularly and/or immediatelyupdated accounting and statistical information regarding the expert'spractice. Some embodiments of TruClinic may include a scheduling andclient management system that will remind clients and/or experts ofappointments via email, text message, a computer alarm, socialnetworking such as Facebook, Twitter, as well as SMS, instant messaging,etc. In some embodiments of TruClinic experts can synchronize theircalendar with various calendar programs as discussed previously.

Some embodiments of TruClinic include a module that allows experts torecord a session (starting at any point during the session) withoutTruClinic maintaining any records of client/expert appointments orinteractions. Embodiments of TruClinic are fully compliant with allinternet protocols, security standards, confidentiality standards, orother requirements imposed on experts of businesses in various fields.For example, in some embodiments some embodiments of TruClinic thatprovide medical and/or psychotherapeutic counseling services are fullycompliant with the confidentiality and record-keeping standards imposedby the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996(“HIPAA”). In addition, embodiments of TruClinic are fully compliantwith standards propagated, established, maintained and/or enforced byHealth Level Seven International, the American Medical Association, theAmerican Psychological Association, and Assessment & TreatmentAlternatives clinic among other health oriented organizations withregard to the interoperability of health information technology andassociated protocols.

Some embodiments of TruClinic include allowing experts from the UnitedStates, and/or experts from countries with similar standard-of-caremodalities as those in the United States to use TruClinic to provideonline counseling services. In such embodiments, internationally-basedexperts are required to meet United States standards related to medicalrecords, information, confidentiality, etc. For example, in someembodiments experts from Great Britain, Germany, New Zealand, Ireland,Scotland, Australia, France, Japan, and Canada are eligible to registerand/or use such embodiments of TruClinic because psychotherapy expertsin those countries are required to meet standards comparable to thoseimposed here in the United States. The foregoing list of countries thatmay be permitted to register and/or use various embodiments of TruClinicis merely illustrative and may be reduced, supplemented, augmented orotherwise modified according to various embodiment of the presentinvention.

The embodiments of online counseling systems provided herein providemany advantages. Various embodiments ensure privacy and confidentialityassuring clients they can express themselves freely, which assists inthe provision of effective counseling. Various embodiments assistindividuals to receive counseling at critical times. Because of theirworldwide reach, flexible scheduling, and/or 24-hour availability,various embodiments make effective counseling available at convenienttimes and places, and/or at a price that is sustainable for manyclients. For example, such embodiments can provide important counselingfor veterans, military personnel, indigent, home-bound, in jail, orother persons who cannot or are too far away to travel to a traditionalbrick-and-mortar building to receive counseling, etc. In variousembodiments, because the technology is able to simulate real-time,in-person interactions, experts can provide the same kind of servicesthey would be able to provide were they to meet the client in-person,but do so in a manner that allows the client to meet in a space of theirchoosing that is comfortable for them, making them more likely to be atease during the therapy session, thus increasing the likelihood ofeffective communication and effective therapy.

In various embodiments, the use of virtual or “digital” waiting roomshelp to put clients at ease and enable the expert to further replicatethe experience of in-person interactions. In various embodiments, if aclient cancels his or her counseling session, experts can use theflexible scheduling features to recoup time that would have otherwisebeen lost in a solely brick-and-mortar practice. In various embodiments,the ranking and feedback feature(s) provide clients with the ability toassess and experiment with experts and to locate the expert(s) thatperfectly meet their needs on an immediate and/or long-term basis.

Some embodiments of the present invention minimize or eliminate much ofthe overhead associated with running a traditional therapy office, e.g.,such as rent, fees, utilities, and staff. Some embodiments of theinvention enable experts to provide effective services to clients in anylocation, thus increasing their potential client base and referral poolto a worldwide scale. Some embodiments of the invention also enableexperts to work the hours they prefer, since clients can be in any timezone. Some embodiments of the present invention create new client andservice opportunities for experts. Some embodiments of the presentinvention allow experts who are just starting their businesses to have aviable and economical alternative to the high-cost structure of joininga group of other experts to start building a client base. Someembodiments allow experts with an established practice to expand theirreach by offering existing clients the option to use onlineconsultations to supplement regularly scheduled in-person appointments.Some embodiments allow experts looking to scale back their practice forsuch reasons as imminent retirement to continue to provide high-qualityservices to select long-standing clients without the expense and stressassociated with maintaining a physical office environment.

While the foregoing advantages of the present invention are manifestedin the detailed description and illustrated embodiments of theinvention, a variety of changes can be made to the configuration, designand construction of the invention to achieve those advantages. Hence,reference herein to specific details of the structure and function ofthe present invention is by way of example only and not by way oflimitation.

Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by theforegoing description. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for remotely conducting counselingsessions between a client and an expert using an IP-based network, themethod comprising: providing a website accessible to the network; anexpert accessing the website; the expert customizing a first virtualwaiting room according to a feature selected from the group consistingof an issue of a client, a need of a client, a want of a client, and adisorder of a client; the client accessing the website; the clientsearching a list of online experts including the expert; the clientlogging into the website; the client selecting the expert for a therapysession; the client initially completing intake and registration formswithin the first virtual waiting room customized by the expert; theexpert remotely conducting a counseling session with the client usingvideoconferencing; ending the counseling session; the clientautomatically returning to the first virtual waiting room to review andoptionally purchase items selected for the client by the expert; and theclient optionally scheduling another counseling session with the expert.2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expertaccessing the emergency contact information provided by the client whoappears to be in need of emergent physical, mental, social, emotional,legal, or academic care, or is in danger of self-harm or harm to others.3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the expertsetting billing rates for pre-booked and pay-per-minute sessions.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3, further comprising the expert setting thebilling rates on an individual client basis.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the selecting of the expert comprises selecting from arandomly ordered list of available and online experts.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the expert designating at leastone of: time available for pre-booked sessions with established clients;time available for pay-per-minute sessions with established clients;time available for pre-booked sessions with public clients; and timeavailable for pay-per-minute sessions with public clients.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the expert searchingestablished client base with capability to filter for at least one of:clients who have had a previous pre-booked session or clients who havehad a previous pay-per minute session.
 8. The method according to claim1, wherein the form for privacy instructions is a Health InsurancePortability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) form.
 9. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising the expert taking case notes, creatingdocuments, or sharing information that is accessible to clients.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1 further comprising the expert taking casenotes, creating documents, or sharing information that is not accessibleto clients.
 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingautomatically emailing the forms completed by the client to the expertprior to first session.
 12. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the client and the expert editing their respective personal,public and billing information.
 13. The method according to claim 1,further comprising the expert sending a one-way chat message to theclient.
 14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising theexpert placing the client on video call waiting.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the client performing aself-evaluation report prior to a session.
 16. The method according toclaim 15, further comprising storing the self-evaluation reports overtime and viewing the self-evaluation reports graphically as a functionof time.
 17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising aplurality of clients participating in a group session with the expertcontrolling who is viewable and audible in the videoconference and whichof the plurality of clients has the floor to speak in thevideoconference.
 18. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingstarting a timeout clock once both the client and the expert indicatethey are ready to begin a session, whereby if the expert fails toinitiate the session within a predetermined amount of time measured bythe timeout clock, the client is given an option to cancel the sessionwithout charge and select another expert or reschedule anotherpre-booked session with the expert or another expert.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the client requesting a sessionwith the expert.
 20. The method according to claim 19, furthercomprising the expert accepting the request and entering a password toaccess the forms.
 21. The method according to claim 20, furthercomprising the expert confirming that the client has correctly completedthe forms.
 22. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingquerying the client whether there is a true emergency, and if so,providing local emergency contact information to the client.
 23. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising the client activating aprivacy button thereby turning off video and audio from the session. 24.The method according to claim 23, further comprising allowing the clientto reactivate the session by entering a password within a pre-determinedamount of time.
 25. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingthe expert digitally zooming video to observe facial expressions andbody language of the client.
 26. The method according to claim 1,further comprising selectively activating a semi-transparent overlay forpositioning the client or the expert for centering in video.
 27. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising the expert activating asession hold.
 28. The method according to claim 27, further comprisingthe expert deactivating the session hold.
 29. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface devicethat allows the expert to view and/or place restrictions on clients'ability to view and/or schedule appointments.
 30. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface devicethat permits a client to receive counseling immediately.
 31. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or otherinterface device that sends an alert to available experts, wherein anexpert may confirm the alert and begin a counseling session.
 32. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or otherinterface device that allows clients to view and/or schedule counselingsessions with experts who are currently available.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or otherinterface device that allows an expert to communicate in private with asubset of clients during a group counseling session.
 34. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or otherinterface device under the control of the client that allows only asubset of clients to communicate during a group counseling sessionwithout allowing other clients to communicate.
 35. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising a button, icon, or other interface deviceunder the control of the expert that allows only a subset of clients tocommunicate during a group counseling session without allowing otherclients to communicate.
 36. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the expert viewing a bill generated from prior sessions. 37.The method according to claim 1, further comprising the clientdownloading documents provided by the expert.
 38. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising an administrator blocking an expert orclient from accessing the website.
 39. The method according to claim 1,wherein the expert is a counselor and the method further comprisesemailing the counselor's case notes and chat records to a supervisingexpert.